The importance of praising others! The ability to honor others you work with, live with and associate with on any level is a skill worth building. Being the type of person who is consistently praising and showing appreciation to others, is the kind of person that people will bend over backward for when it comes to work or other relationships.
As a former teacher, a good portion of my training was spent learning how to give particular praise. For example, if a child completes their work and with great handwriting, my praise should be, “I’m impressed with your handwriting. I can tell you put hard work into this assignment.” Studies have shown that particular praise is more motivational rather than if I had said, “Good job.” The child would wonder what it was they did a good job on in the first place. The most important part though is praising the person at every opportunity!
The same goes for those we work and live with every day. Receiving praise doesn’t stop when you work with adults. Everyone needs to hear positive feedback. In an article titled, “Does Praise Help? A look at the Research” (1973), it stated, “positive feedback, honest praise, and recognition for work well done, will reinforce self-motivation and make people feel good. While adverse reactions and the assignments of tasks beyond one’s ability can break down both a person’s self-motivation and his self-esteem.”
My Experience with Praising Others
Back in my days of teaching, a new student, mainstreamed back into a public classroom, was a challenge. He had been in a behavioral unit the year before due to rage and physically attacking teachers and students. I was very nervous. My heart was broken trying to wrap my head around figuring out what life had been like to make such a small person turn so angry.
I also kept recalling the importance of giving specific praise. The first few weeks was a stretch trying to find worthy praise. The student was very challenging, but I kept praising. There were moments of discipline and frustration, like when he threw a chair at my pregnant belly, but they were always followed by the immediate praise the second I noticed when something went right.
I worked hard to make sure he saw me praise him. When we praise someone, our body language speaks volumes. We smile and soften our demeanor. He needed to hear and see that he was loved. Over time he began to change. He smiled more. He interacted positively with peers and with me. I firmly believe that he started to believe the praise he was hearing. Our year ended so much better than it began. In fact, he became one of my best students.
Fast forward to today and working with entrepreneurs and their teams, the results are similar. Working with the staff of a busy firm, offering positive support and praise goes a long way in building a solid team. Work demands are heavy especially with the immediancy syndrome that has evolved out of texting and email technology. If the only feedback your team receives from you is negative, the team starts to shut down and becomes afraid of making a mistake.
Start Praising Others Today
Praising is not just for children. As I mentioned before, adults need it just as much, if not more. Don’t hesitate to praise. It may feel awkward at first if this is not something you are accustomed to sharing. It may even be awkward for those you are praising! Do it anyway. It will get easier, and you will be delighted by the results. Employees and co-workers will work harder with better results. Family time will be happier. Praising others is something that benefits not only those receiving the praise but also the person giving the praise.
About Balance & Harmony 360², Inc.
Owned and operated by Melinda Smith, CPO®, we offer Business Training & Consulting with a Twist! Our sweet spot is working with Entrepreneur’s and their companies to create a productive work environment, happy home, and prosperous you! Our passion is listening to clients goals, thinking through solutions and also coming up with creative 360² action plans that address work, home, and you! Learn to Love Going to Work Again! Increase Time with Your Family! Get Things Done! Hence our process is simple and geared toward the professional. You CAN get your LIFE back in BALANCE!
Author, Trainer, Life Organizer®
Melinda Smith, CPO® organizes and executes action plans, training, and consulting. Great referrals are business owners, executives, and companies looking for sustainable change. Above all, she can help create a more productive work, a happy home, and a prosperous you.
Particularly relevant is the fact that Melinda has worked with companies and individuals for over 20 years. Conducting workshops across the East Coast, they include over 60 cities in 19 states. Equally important focus topics include Strategic Thinking, Teambuilding, and Organization. As well as Balance Strategies, Stress Management, and Embracing Change.
After all, Melinda was one of the first 200 in the nation to achieve a Certified Professional Organizer status. Also, she is also a graduate of the Western School of Feng Shui (pronounced feng shway).
Melinda has owned Balance & Harmony 360², Inc., since 2003. She is also the author of The Complete Guide for Balance & Harmony OWL Kit. Also, this kit consists of a book, workbook, and F.O.C.U.S. Journal as well as five products to help organize Work, Home, and You.
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